Inflatable Rescue Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an inflatable rescue marker comprising a cylindrical hollow housing having a lid, a puncture plate, an inflatable bladder and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing. The lid is hingably affixed to one end of the housing. The puncture plate is affixed within the housing below the lid and comprises a pierce needle positioned at the center with the sharp end exposed on the lower surface of the plate. The puncture plate also has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the lower surface about the sharp end of the pierce needle able to receive a pressurized gas canister for inflating the bladder. The inflatable bladder is positioned on the upper surface of the puncture plate with its open end removably affixed to the other end of the pierce needle. A length of line connects the bladder to the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) is claimed to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/930,345 filed 4 Jan. 2011 to Pisor, entitled“Inflatable Diving Safety Marker.” The disclosure of theabove-referenced application is incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to safety equipment used for a variety ofactivities including underwater sports or commercial diving, such as forexample, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving,skiing, boating, climbing, cycling, hiking, fishing, hunting andcamping. In particular, the invention relates to inflatable rescuemarkers that may be utilized by a distressed individual to mark his/herlocation for rescue.

(2) Description of Related Art

A variety of rescue markers designed to indicate the location of anindividual have been provided. However, none of those directed to divingaddresses the specific needs of a diver in distress. These specificneeds include conservation of air supply if the diver is trapped belowthe surface, a marker that may be launched when the diver is upright aswell as prone and a surface beacon of minimal weight that can deployedefficiently and effectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,458 to Church discloses a marker buoy having a valvemeans through which air can be forced to inflate the marker, a lineconnecting the diver to the marker and ballast or weight to assure thatthe marker remains upright. Unfortunately, the marker requires that thediver manually inflate the buoy through the valve means, which may notbe possible if a diver is in distress. This also reduces the amount ofcritical air that the diver may need for an extended period if trappedunder the surface of the water. In addition, such a device addsunnecessary weight to a diver's equipment that may not be easilyreleased in an emergency for an immediate ascent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,952 to Tenniswood discloses a compact stowablemarker comprising an inflatable/deflatable marker balloon, a valve meansto introduce gas into the balloon and a weighted reel to hold anelongated connector line. Like U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,458, this device alsorequires manual inflation and the reel adds unnecessary weight to thediver's equipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,219 to Ryan discloses an underwater launchablesignal device comprising a warning signal member housed within alauncher that can be attached to the diver's gear. The signal membercomprises a floatation member mounted on one end of a pole having acounterweight attached to the other end and connected to the launcherthough a line disposed on a reel. The disadvantage of this device isthat the inflatable floatation element is not compact. Its size iscumbersome and adds an additional element to the diver's equipment thatcan get tangled in seaweed during a dive. In addition, to be able tolaunch the floatation device the diver must be upright, which may not bepossible if the diver is in distress.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,719 to Berg discloses a combination inflatable diveflag and float comprising an inflatable tube having a diving flagdisposed on one end and a counterweight disposed on the other. Thedisadvantage of this device, like U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,141,458 and 5,231,952is that it requires manual inflation. When a diver is in distress he/shemay not have the capability to inflate the device nor the desire toreduce his/her remaining air supply.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,912 to Myers discloses a self-contained emergencymarker comprising a buoy portion connected to the housing by a cord andan activating apparatus. The activating apparatus contains an armsecured by a pull pin, a CO₂ cartridge and a pin connected to the armthat punctures the cartridge to release CO₂ when the pull pin isremoved. The disadvantage of this device is that the buoy contains thegas cartridge, and while this is utilized as ballast to maintain thebuoy in an upright position, it increases the weight thereby requiringadditional buoyancy to carry the buoy to the surface. In addition, theconfiguration disclosed is not reusable.

In addition, the rescue markers designed for terrestrial uses do notprovide the visibility under a variety of environmental conditions,compact configuration and simplicity of deployment that may be requiredin the event the user is injured.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,079 to McNeill discloses a device that requires theuser to first remove the emergency locating device from the carryingcontainer, twist a valve pin to release gas into a balloon and oncefilled disengage the balloon from the device for release into the air.These are a complicated series of tasks that may be difficult orimpossible to perform if the user is injured.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,575 to Stewart discloses a signal balloon having aconfiguration that causes it to ascend in response to an increase inwind speed and having a light means that allows the balloon to be morevisible at night. However, the battery and strobe circuit is securelymounted in the housing, which remains on the ground after deployment.This requires that the tether provide an electrical or a fiber opticconnection to the housing, which makes the connection highly susceptibleto breakage from stress on the tether.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,242 to Russell discloses a rescue balloon thatrequires the user to remove the balloon from the kit container, affixthe end over an outlet tube, rotate the valving means to release gasinto the balloon and once filled apply a clip to close the balloonbefore release. As with the device of McNeill this set of complicatedtasks may difficult, if not impossible, to perform if the use isinjured.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,244 to McCreary discloses a rescue kit like theMcNeill and Russell patents that requires the user to perform a set ofcomplicated tasks before signaling his/her location. This includesremoving the device from its carrying pouch, removing the plunger stopring to release the plunger, pushing down the plunger releasing gas intothe balloon and when filled, disconnecting the balloon from the fillingtube to release it into the air. The inventor recognizes that therecould be difficulty in using the device if the individual is injured.For example, the inventor states that “if, due to injury or some othercircumstance, the user is unable to use a finger . . . the user can evenuse his/her teeth” (column 6, lines 31-35). Also, if the user is unableto push down on the plunger, the plunger “can be pressed against theuser's body or ground” (column 6, lines 39-40).

U.S. patent application 2004/0163582 to Willis discloses a rescue devicehaving a kite-type balloon marker. The device requires the user to graspa pull ring to release the top of the device and activate gas flow intothe kite-type balloon. The inventor states that under windy conditionsthe unfurled sail elements catch the wind so the balloon acts as a kite.However, complicated balloon designs can be expensive to make, difficultto fold into an easily deployable package and storage in a small easilytransportable device.

U.S. patent application 2009/0094867 to Darnell discloses a compactrescue signal device that provides a protective sleeve for a mylarballoon, a piercing pull lever that activates gas release into the mylarballoon and a reflective disk. However, if the user attempts to deploythe device at night or in the late afternoon and rescue is not initiateduntil evening the balloon may be difficult to locate even with areflective surface.

Therefore, there is a need in the field for an inflatable rescue markerfor use in diving that does not require the diver to utilize his/her airsupply to inflate the buoy, utilize ballast to maintain the buoy in anupright position or require the buoy to carry an additional payload suchas a gas canister or ballast when ascending to the surface of the water.Further, it would be beneficial to have a device that meets these needsand is reusable.

There is also a need in the field for an inflatable rescue marker forterrestrial use that does not require a complicated series of tasksnecessary to deploy the marker, is visible under almost all conditions,has a simple balloon design and does not require an electricalconnection through the tether line.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an inflatable rescue marker for use inthe event of an emergency. The marker comprises a cylindrical hollowhousing having a top and bottom end, a lid hingably affixed to the topend, a puncture plate fitted inside the cylindrical housing below thelid, an inflatable bladder positioned between the puncture plate and thelid and a length of line connecting the bladder to the housing. Thepuncture plate comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and a pierceneedle positioned at its center. The sharp end of the pierce needle isexposed on the lower surface of the puncture plate and the other endextends above the upper surface. The puncture plate has a threadedcylindrical skirt depending from the lower surface about the sharp endof the pierce needle able to receive a pressurized gas canister. Thebladder has an open end removably affixed to the other end of the pierceneedle through a self-sealing inflation port and is affixed to thecylindrical housing by a length of line.

In one embodiment of the present invention the cylindrical hollowhousing upper portion and lower portion rotate independently. Inaddition, the housing may further comprise a means for fastening thedevice to a user.

In another embodiment the inflatable rescue marker further comprises apressurized gas canister having a threaded end able to be received bythe threaded cylindrical skirt depending from the puncture plate. Whenin use underwater the gas container may be filled with a gas that allowsthe bladder to rise to or above the surface of the water. Duringterrestrial use the pressurized gas canister contains a gas that islighter than air.

In yet another embodiment, the inflatable rescue marker furthercomprises a stationary or rotatable spindle affixed to and centeredabout the other end of the puncture needle for receiving a length ofline.

In still another embodiment the inflatable rescue marker furthercomprises at least one light or sound frequency emitter electronicallyconnected to an energy source through a switch. The switch may beactivated when the lid is released.

In another embodiment the bladder has a reflective surface able toreflect light or a radio frequency signal. The light reflected might bevisible or infrared light.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of deploying theinflatable rescue marker. The method comprises the steps of twisting thelower portion of the housing, in a clockwise direction with respect toupper portion of the housing, until the lid releases and the bladder isdeployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: A cross sectional view of one embodiment of the inflatablerescue marker showing the cylindrical hollow housing having two portionsthat rotate independently, a puncture plate, a bladder with at least onelight or sound emitter, a spindle and gas canister;

FIG. 2: A perspective view of the inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3: The inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1 being activated; and

FIG. 4: The inflatable rescue marker of FIG. 1 deployed underwater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning asare commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which thisinvention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publicationsreferred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality ofdefinitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.

The term “affixable” as used herein in reference to the interactionbetween the gas canister and the cylindrical hollow housing is anymethod of securing the gas canister in the housing that allows ease ofuse. For example, providing a threaded perimeter on the dependingthreaded cylindrical skirt on the lower surface of the puncture plate.This would allow the gas canister to be positioned adjacent to the sharpend of the pierce needle for immediate use. For activation, the canisteris rotated clockwise one or more turns, with respect to the housing,driving the pierce needle into the canister and releasing the gas intothe bladder.

The term “bladder” as used herein refers to a flexible bag or enclosurehaving a single opening that is able to retain a gas. The opening isadapted to provide a gas tight seal over the blunt end of the pierceneedle on the upper surface of the puncture plate. The bladder can be,for example, a balloon that when filled with gas can have any number ofshapes such as, for example a sphere, an elongated cylinder or ateardrop.

The term “electronically connected” as used herein refers to a completedcircuit comprising, among other components, one or more lights and orsound emitters connected in parallel, or in series, to a power sourceand controlled by a switch. Other components known to those in the artalso may be incorporated into the circuit such as, for example, one ormore capacitors that cause the lights to blink or the sound emitters tointermittently produce sound.

The term “energy source” as used herein can be any device able toprovide energy to activate and run the one or more lights and/or soundemitters for a desired period of time. For example, the energy sourcecan be a battery.

The term “gas” as used herein may be a single type of gas such ashelium, hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen or it may be a mixture of gases.For example, if it is desired that the bladder merely rise to thesurface of the water a gas having a similar composition as air such as anitrogen/oxygen mix can be used. If it is preferable that the bladderrise above the water, a gas lighter than air can be used such as heliumor hydrogen.

The term “gas canister” as used herein is a chamber having a singleopening that may be received by the skirt depending from the lowersurface of the puncture plate and able to retain sufficient gas underpressure to fill the bladder to a desired pressure.

The term “light” as used herein refers to ultraviolet, infrared andvisible light.

The term “removably affixed” in reference to the interaction between thebladder and the pierce needle refers to any method that allows thebladder opening to be affixed securely to the blunt end of the pierceneedle when the device has not been activated. However when activated,the bladder is released from the needle when its buoyancy overcomes theforce exerted by the releasable affixing method. One example of aremovable affixing method is a self sealing inflation port. This portcan be prepared from a silicone plug comprising a self-sealing aperturethrough its center. The silicone plug is secured in the open end of thebladder and the blunt end of the pierce needle is fitted through theself-sealing aperture to prepare the device for use. When activated thegas filling the bladder exerts upward pressure eventually causing theplug to slip off of the blunt end of the needle. Upon release, the holein the silicone plug closes retaining the gas in the bladder.

The term “rotatable” in reference to the interaction between the spindleand the pierce needle refers to any method of permanently attaching thespindle to the pierce needle that allows the spindle to rotate freelywhen the bladder is released from the device.

The term “stationary” in reference to the interaction between thespindle and the pierce needle refers to any method of permanentlyattaching the spindle to the pierce needle that prohibits the spindlefrom moving or rotating when the bladder is released from the device.

In one embodiment, the inflatable rescue marker comprises a cylindricalhollow housing, a lid hingably affixed to one end, a puncture platefitted inside the housing, an inflatable bladder positioned between thepuncture plate and the lid and a length of line connecting the bladderto the housing.

(1) The Cylindrical Hollow Housing

The cylindrical hollow housing may be provided in a one or two piececonfiguration. In the single piece configuration, the hollow housing hasa diameter sufficient to house a gas canister of sufficient size tocarry enough gas to inflate the bladder allowing it to rise to or abovethe surface of the water as desired. The length of the cylindricalhollow housing can be a variety of lengths provided that the gascanister extends sufficiently beyond the base of the housing to allowthe user to grasp and rotate the canister. For example, if the gascanister is 40.0 mm in diameter and a length of 130.0 mm, the housingwould have an internal diameter larger than the diameter of the canisterbut not so large as to allow the canister to wobble inside the housing.For example, the internal diameter of the housing could be 41.0 mm to45.0 mm to provide a snug fit within the housing but not more than 50.0mm, which would allow the canister to wobble side to side in thehousing. The thickness of the housing would be sufficient to providestrength to the housing for continued and repeated use. This will dependon the material used to prepare the housing and its diameter. The largerthe diameter the thicker the housing may have to be to providesufficient structural integrity during use. It would be beneficial toreduce the amount of flexibility of the housing when being grasped whilerotating the gas canister to deploy the bladder. If metal or alloy areused the thickness could be less than if a polymer were used. In thecase where the housing were made of polymer, for example, the thicknesscould be from about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm or greater but would not beless than about 1.5 mm. If it were made of titanium the thickness couldbe reduced significantly to about 1.0 mm to about 1.5 mm.

The length of the canister and the amount the canister extends beyondthe base of the housing will determine the length of the housing. Sincethe housing must be grasped while rotating the gas canister to deploythe bladder, there must be sufficient gripping surface on the housingand on the base of the gas canister to permit rotation. For example, thelength of the housing could be about the average width of a person'shand or about 70.0 mm to 100 mm. This would allow for a full grip duringdeployment of the bladder. In order to be able to grasp the gascanister, it should extend below the housing at least a portion of anaverage hand width. However, because the user is able to use the fingersand palm to rotate the canister, this amount could be less and willdepend on the strength needed to rotate the canister to release the gas.For example, the amount of the gas canister that extends beyond thehousing could be as little as 35.0 mm.

The cylindrical housing may also be provided in two pieces comprising anupper 12 and a lower portion 14. The two portions may be made of thesame or different materials and may be in contact, or separate from eachother, when in use. In either case, the two pieces can be rotatedindependently. When the two pieces of the housing are in contact theymay be provided with any secure connection that allows both portions tostay together and be rotated independently from each other. For example,the two pieces may be connected by a snap in rail and groove connection.The contact area of one portion contains a linear groove along theexterior perimeter edge and the other portion containing a linear railalong the interior perimeter edge of a thickness that allows the user tosnap the rail into the groove when inserting a gas canister 16. Inaddition, sufficient room is provided to allow the rail to move upwardin the groove when the canister 16 is rotated into the pierce needle 18.One skilled in the art can determine the groove thickness based on thedistance to be traveled by the canister 16 when rotated. This rail andgroove connection allows for rotation of one portion independently ofthe other while retaining the two pieces in contact and together duringuse. The second piece securely grips the base of the canister so thatwhen it is rotated the canister rotates equally. Any method known in theart could be used to secure the second piece. For example, one or morefriction pads could be secured on the interior surface of the secondpiece to grasp the canister 16 when press fit into place.

A two-piece housing configuration, wherein the two pieces are not incontact see FIG. 1, is also contemplated by the invention. In this case,the upper portion 12 comprises the lid 20, puncture plate 22, bladder 24and length of line 26 connecting the bladder 24 with the housing. Thelower portion 14 is securely fitted on the base of the gas canister 16when it is affixed to the upper portion 12. In this configuration, thelower portion 14 must fit securely about the base of the canister 16such that rotation of the lower portion 14 equally rotates the gascanister 16. For example, the lower portion 14 may be made of an elasticpolymer that can be press fit onto the base of the gas canister 16. Thepolymer selected would be one that would not slip on the surface of thecanister 16 when wet and assures the lower portion 14 and canister 16rotate equally. The lower portion 14 could also be made of a harderpolymer with one or more friction pads on the interior surface to graspthe canister 16 when press fit on its base.

If the inflatable rescue marker 10 were not reusable, the lower portion14 could be secured to the base of the canister 16 with an adhesive,preferably a water-resistant adhesive.

The exterior of the housing could be provided with a coating ortexturing that resists slippage during activation of the device. Forexample, the exterior could be rubberized to provide a sticky surface orcould be cast with ribbing or tread that assists with gripping thedevice 10.

(2) The Lid

The lid 20 is a cover that, in conjunction with the housing and punctureplate 22, encases the bladder 24. The lid 20 can be affixed to the topend of the cylindrical hollow housing by any means that allows it torelease the bladder 24 when it is partially filled with gas. Forexample, the lid 20 may be affixed to the top end of the housing by ahinge and snap clip such that when the bladder exerts sufficient forceon the lid 20 the snap clip releases and the lid 20 pivots open on thehinge. Alternatively, the lid 20 may be snap clipped about the perimeterof the top end of the housing that releases when enough pressure isexerted by the inflating bladder 24.

If the inflatable rescue marker 10 were not reusable the lid 20 could bean easy tear covering that when sufficient pressure is exerted by thebladder 24 causes the single use lid 20 to tear away from the top end ofthe housing releasing the bladder 24.

(3) The Puncture Plate

The puncture plate 22 comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and apierce needle 18 positioned at its center. The plate 22 may be integralto the housing or may be separate from and secured in the cylindricalhollow housing. If the puncture plate 22 is separate, it may be affixedsecurely to the interior walls of the housing by a variety of methodsknown in the art. For example, a ridge 28 may be provided a desireddistance from the top end of the housing along the perimeter of theinterior wall. Alternatively, there may be three or more ledges oroutcrops spaced equally along the perimeter of the interior wall. Thepuncture plate 22 may then be positioned and secured on these ledges orridge 28 by a snap-fit means, an adhesive or by welding. Spot weldingcould be used if the housing and puncture plate 22 are made of a metalor heating and fusing the puncture plate 22 to the interior wall of thehousing if they were both made of polymer. If the two are made ofdifferent materials, the puncture plate 22 may be secured in place by anadhesive.

If the puncture plate 22 is integral to the housing the housing may becast or form molded to incorporate the puncture plate 22.

In FIG. 1, the puncture plate 22 is represented by a flat solid surfacethat supports the deflated bladder 24. However, the plate 22 does nothave to be solid. The plate can have any structural configuration thatacts to retain the bladder 24 above the canister 16 for effective andefficient inflation and is sufficient to support the gas canister 16when affixed onto the depending skirt 30. For example, the plate 22could be provided in a four spoke wheel configuration, wherein the hubcomprises the depending skirt 30 and the spokes position and support thecanister 16 on the lower surface and the bladder 24 on the top surfaceof the plate 22.

The depending skirt 30 may be made of the same or different material asthe puncture plate 22. For example, if the depending skirt 30 is made ofthe same material it may be cast or form molded with the puncture plate22 as a single unit. Alternatively, they could be produced separatelyand affixed together by a variety of methods, such as for example,welding if the plate and skirt 30 are made of metal or fused if they aremade of polymer. If they are made of different materials, such as theskirt 30 being made of metal and the plate being made of polymer, theycould be affixed together by a variety of known methods, such as forexample, one or more rivets.

The depending skirt 30 has a length sufficient to securely hold the gascanister 16 in place prior to and during inflation of the bladder 24.For example, the length may be from about 10.0 mm to about 25.0 mm.

A variety of methods known to those skilled in the art may be used toaffix the canister 16 to the depending skirt 30. For example thedepending skirt 30 and the neck of the gas canister 16 may be threaded.The threads of the depending skirt 30 may be provided on the interior orexterior perimeter of the skirt 30 depending on the location of thethreads provided on the gas canister 16. If, for example, the threads ofthe canister 16 are on the exterior perimeter of the neck, the threadsof the depending skirt 30 will be provided on the interior perimeter.

(4) The Pierce Needle

The pierce needle 18 is made of a material that can easily pierce theseptum 32 of the gas canister 16 and provide a passageway for gas totravel from the canister 16 to the bladder 24. The needle 18 may have asharp end, used to pierce the gas canister septum 32 and a blunt end forreleasing the gas from the canister 16 into the bladder 24. The pierceneedle 18 may be made from a variety of materials depending on the typeof material used as a septum 32 on the gas canister 16. For example, ifthe septum 32 is made of lead or tin, the pierce needle 18 may be madeof a stainless steel that can easily puncture these types of materials.Stainless steel is preferred because it is resistant to corrosion inwater.

The pierce needle 18 is positioned about the center of the punctureplate 22 with the sharp end extending through the center of thedepending skirt 30. The sharp end extends below the lower surface of theplate 22 a sufficient distance to puncture the gas canister 16 when thedevice 10 is activated. The other end extends above the upper surface ofthe puncture plate 22 to receive the open end of the bladder.

A seal 34 may be positioned about the perimeter of the depending skirt30 where it joins the puncture plate 22. The canister 16 butts upagainst the seal 34 when the device is activated preventing leakage whenthe bladder 24 is being filled. The seal may be made of a variety ofmaterials that provide the flexibility to create an air-tight contactabout the interface between the canister 16 and the puncture plate 22.For example, the seal may be made of silicone or rubber.

(5) The Inflatable Bladder

The inflatable bladder 24 can be any enclosure having a single openingthat may be adapted to be removably affixed to the end of the pierceneedle 18 and able to retain gas for an extended period of time. Forexample, the bladder 24 can be a balloon.

The bladder 24 can have a variety of sizes and shapes that drawattention to its presence. For example, the bladder 24 when filled canbe spherical or teardrop in shape or can form an elongated verticalcylinder. The size will be limited by the amount of gas that can bestored in the gas canister 16 and transferred to the bladder 24 uponactivation.

The bladder 24 can be made of a variety of materials that assist inlocating the marker. For example, the bladder 24 may be provided in avariety of colors such as red or yellow. Correspondingly, the bladder 24may be made of a material that reflects light such as polymers that havemirror like surfaces or it may be made of a material that reflects radiowave frequencies to alert searchers transmitting such frequencies.

The opening of the bladder 24 is adapted to create a gas tightself-sealing port that may be removably affixed to the end of the pierceneedle 18. A variety of materials can be used that adhere to the openingof the bladder 24 and create an air tight seal about the pierce needle18 and when the bladder 24 is removed from the needle 18. Such materialsinclude, for example, silicone or rubber.

(6) The Line

The line 26 connects the bladder 24 to the housing, which is either wornor located near the user. The line 26 can be made of a variety ofmaterials of small diameter that resists breaking. The diameter usedwill depend on the amount of line 26 needed to achieve the desiredheight following deployment, the type of material used and the spaceavailable within the hollow cylindrical housing for storing the lineprior to deployment. For example, if the line 26 were made of nylonmonofilament and 30 meters of line 26 is desired, a 0.2 mm diameter line26 may be utilized while a stronger 0.4 mm diameter line 26 would occupythe same space but provide less ascent height.

The line 26 may be provided in a number of configurations for easydeployment. For example, the line may be coiled or rolled on astationary or rotating spindle 36 or wound around a series of postsmounted on the upper surface of the puncture plate 22.

(7) The Gas Canister

The gas canister 16 can be made of a variety of materials that retaingas under high pressure without rupturing or leaking. For example, thecanister 16 may be made of carbon fiber or metal. Preferably thecanister 16 is made of a metal such as aluminum or titanium. Thedimensions of the canister 16 can be determined based on the type andamount of gas required for a particular purpose and the internaldiameter of the cylindrical hollow housing. For example, if alow-density gas such as helium or hydrogen is desired, the amount ofthese gases necessary to deploy the bladder 24 would be less than usinga denser gas such as nitrogen or oxygen. Consequently, gases like heliumor hydrogen may be able to be provided in smaller gas canisters thanoxygen or nitrogen. Therefore, the internal diameter of the cylindricalhollow housing can be reduced accordingly. Alternatively, the externaldiameter of the canister 16 can remain the same and its length reduced.

The neck of the canister 16 is provided with an adapter to be securelyreceived by the depending skirt 30. For example, the neck may havethreads identical to those on the depending skirt 30. If the dependingskirt 30 has threads on its internal perimeter, the neck of the canisterwill have threads on its external perimeter to be accompanied by theskirt 30 and visa versa.

The septum 32 of the canister 16 can be made of any material that willmaintain the gas within the canister 16 yet be easily punctured by thepierce needle 18. For example, the septum 32 could be made of tin orlead if the pierce needle 18 is made of stainless steel.

The gas canisters can be provided in reusable or single useconfigurations.

(8) The Lights/Sound Emitters The inflatable bladder 24 may alsocomprise lights 38 and or sound emitters to enhance the chance of beingidentified when the user is in distress. A variety of methods can beutilized to provide these additional signals. In one embodiment, acircuit board 40 is provided having a power source 42 connected to oneor more lights 38, either in series or in parallel, controlled by aswitch 44. The switch 44 is in direct contact with the lid 20 so thatwhen the lid 20 is released the circuit is energized and the lights 38illuminate. A similar configuration can be prepared using sound emittersor lights with sound emitters. The circuit board may be provided in awaterproof encasement or within the bladder to protect the electronicsfrom moisture.

The one or more lights and/or sound emitters can be connected tocapacitors that allow the lights to blink and the sound emitters tointermittently emit sound. The circuit board 40 is preferablyminiaturized and positioned at the base of the bladder 24.

Use

In use, the individual either inserts a new gas canister or replaces anold canister by affixing the neck of the canister into or onto thedepending skirt of the puncture plate. If there is a second portion ofthe housing, the second portion may be placed on the base of thecanister before or after the canister is secured to the housing. Theinflatable rescue marker is then affixed to the individual in aconvenient place in case of emergency. For example, during diving, itmay be secured to the buoyancy compensator vest or weight belt, forhiking or camping it may be secured to the shoulder strap of a backpackand for climbing it may be attached to a climbing harness. In anemergency, the individual grasps the inflatable rescue marker by thehousing and rotates the gas canister either by its base or by the secondportion of the housing affixed to the base of the gas canister to drivethe pierce needle through the septum. When the gas begins to fill thebladder it exerts pressure on the lid. When sufficient pressure hasbuilt up between the puncture plate and the lid, the lid will openreleasing the gas-filling bladder. If the bladder contains lights and/orsound emitters, they will be activated immediately when the lid opens.More specifically, the switch is biased in an open position up againstthe lid, preventing electricity from flowing through the circuit. Whenthe lid is released the switch closes completing the circuit and turningon the light(s) and/or initiating sound from the emitters.

When the bladder has filled sufficiently to overcome the pressureexerted by the bladder's plug on the pierce needle, the bladder, whichis tethered to the device by a line, releases from the housing andbegins to ascend. If activated while diving, the bladder will breach thewater and float on the surface or rise above the surface of the waterdepending on the gas released from the canister. For example, if thebladder is filled with nitrogen it will float on the surface as comparedto when the bladder is filled with helium which will cause the bladderto rise above the surface of the water. Once on the surface, the bladderacts as a beacon identifying the location of the distressed diver.

Following its use the device can be reused by deflating the bladder,winding the line on the spool or line pins provided on the punctureplate, replacing the bladder in the housing above the puncture plate,re-securing the lid and replacing the gas canister with a new orrecharged canister.

The information set forth above is provided to give those of ordinaryskill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to makeand use the embodiments of the device and methods, and are not intendedto limit the scope of what the inventor regards as his invention.Modifications of the above-described modes (for carrying out theinvention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art) are intendedto be within the scope of the following claims. All publications,patents, and patent applications cited in this specification areincorporated herein by reference.

1. An inflatable rescue marker comprising: a. a cylindrical hollowhousing having a top end and a bottom end; b. a lid hingably affixed tosaid top end; c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical housingbelow said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an upper surfaceand a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned at the center of saidpuncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp end exposed on saidlower surface of said puncture plate and the other end being exposed onsaid upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein said puncture platehas a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from said lower surface ableto receive a pressurized canister of gas and wherein said sharp end ofsaid pierce needle is disposed at the middle of said threadedcylindrical skirt; d. an inflatable bladder positioned on said uppersurface of said puncture plate wherein the open end of said bladderhaving a self sealing inflation port removably affixed to said other endof said pierce needle; and e. a length of line having one end connectedto said cylindrical housing and the other end connected to said bladder.2. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein saidcylindrical hollow housing comprises an upper portion and a lowerportion, wherein said upper portion and said lower portion rotateindependently.
 3. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1,further comprising a pressurized gas canister having a threaded neckable to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of said punctureplate.
 4. The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, furthercomprising a stationary or rotatable spindle affixed to and centeredabout said puncture needle exposed on said upper surface of saidpuncture plate for receiving the length of line.
 5. The inflatablerescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said bladder furthercomprises at least one light electronically connected to an energysource through a switch, said switch activated when said lid is releasedfrom said cylindrical hollow housing.
 6. The inflatable rescue markeraccording to claim 1, wherein said bladder has a reflective surface. 7.The inflatable rescue marker according to claim 6, wherein saidreflective surface reflects light or a radio frequency signal.
 8. Theinflatable rescue marker according to claim 1, wherein said bladderfurther comprises at least one sound frequency emitter electronicallyconnected to an energy source through a switch, said switch activatedwhen said lid is released from said cylindrical hollow housing.
 9. Theinflatable rescue marker according to claim 5, wherein said light emitsvisible light or infrared light.
 10. The inflatable rescue markeraccording to claim 3, wherein said pressurized gas canister contains agas that allows said bladder to rise to the surface of water.
 11. Theinflatable rescue marker according to claim 3, wherein said pressurizedgas canister contains a gas that allows said bladder to rise above thesurface of the water or ground.
 12. The inflatable rescue markeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a means for fastening saidmarker to an individual.
 13. A method of deploying an inflatable rescuemarker wherein the inflatable rescue marker comprises: a. a cylindricalhollow housing having a top end and a bottom end; b. a lid affixed tosaid top end; c. a puncture plate fitted inside said cylindrical hollowhousing below said lid wherein said puncture plate comprises an uppersurface and a lower surface and a pierce needle positioned about thecenter of said puncture plate, said pierce needle having a sharp endexposed on said lower surface of said puncture plate the other end beingexposed on said upper surface of said puncture plate, wherein saidpuncture plate has a threaded cylindrical skirt depending from saidlower surface wherein said sharp end of said puncture needle is disposedat the middle of said threaded cylindrical skirt; d. a pressurized gascanister able to be received by said threaded cylindrical skirt of saidpuncture plate; e. an inflatable bladder positioned on said uppersurface of said puncture plate having an opening wherein said opening ofsaid bladder is removably affixed to said other end of said punctureneedle; and f. a length of line having one end affixed to saidcylindrical housing and the other end affixed to said bladder whereinsaid method comprises the steps of: twisting said pressurized canisterin a clockwise direction with respect to said cylindrical hollow housinguntil said lid releases and said bladder is deployed.